Spark-plug intensifier and tester



J. H. SMITH. SPARK PLUG INTENSIFIER AND TESTER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 31, I919- I 1 ,409353, Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. SMITH, OF ELZA, G'EbRGIA, ASS IGNOR TO CHESTER A. VIELCH AND WILLIAM F. MILLIGAN, BOTH OF PORTLAND, INDIANA.

*SPARK-PLUG INTENSIFIER AND TESTER.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented BIar, 14, 1922,

Application filed October 31, 1919. Serial No. 334,828.

. in the county of Tattnall and State of Georgm, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in SparlcPlug Intensifiers and Testers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention. relates to new and useful improvements in spark plug attachments and has for one of its objects the provision of a device of this character which can be connected to an ordinary spark plugfor the urnose of intensifvin the soark of the plug and also will indicate if the plug is properly functioning for producing a spark when installed in an engine.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a spark plug intensifier and tester of the above stated character, which will be simple, durable, and efficient, and which'may be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost.

lVith these and other objects in view as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description, and accompanying drawings. in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a spark plug intensifier and tester constructed in accord ance with my invention and illustrating the same applied to a spark plug,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the intensifier and tester removed from a spark plug.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates as an entirety an ordinary sparkplug having the usual central electrode 2 that projects above the upper end of the insulator 3 and. receives anut4. The foregoing description relates to a well known construction of spark plug to which my invention is adapted to be applied.

A body 5 of substantially rectangular shape has formed upon its lower edge an arm 6 provided with an opening to receive the central electrode 2. The arm 6 is secured on to the central electrode by means of the nut 4 and said arm and body 5 are construct-- ed of insulating material such as rubber or asbestos. A metallic plate 7 is secured to the body 5 by a bolt 8 which extends through the plate and body and receives a nut 9. The plate 7 overlies the arm 6 in spaced relation thereto and is provided with an opening to receive an adjustable contact 10. The contact 10 is adapted to be moved towards and from the central electrode for the purpose of increasing and decreasing the spark gap be tween the contact and the electrode. The belt 8 prior to passing through the plate 7 passes through an. opening in a terminal clamp 12 of the usual conductor to a spark plug so that the conductor and the plate 7 are secured to the body by one fastening central electrode to the other electrode of the spark plug in the usual manner, thus'intensifying sparks of the spark plug. It is also to be noted that the spark gap provided be tween the contact and the central electrode will provide an indicator so that a person can readily determine if the spark plug is properly functioning within the engine by the spark appearing between the contact and the central electrode.

By having the device applied to a spark plug as heretofore stated, it will intensify the spark of the spark plug thus assuring the proper explosion of the fuel within the engine, thereby reducing the amount of unburnt fuel in the engine which would be caused by a weak spark. By assuring the complete burning of the explosive fuel with in the cylinder it reduces the amount of fuel required to operate the engine and also provides a smoother running engine with an increased power on a less amount of fuel.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that minor changes in construction, combination, and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as v claimed.

ture formed through each portion of the in sulator, means for connecting a wire-terminal to the thick portion of the lnsulator, means for connectingthe thin portlon ofthe 10 insulator to the electrode of e spark-plug,

and means for forming a spark-gaphetween the terminal and the electrode, all substantially as shown and described.

In testimony Whereofl ziflix niy signature in presence of two- Witnesses.

\ JAMES H. SMITH.

Witnesses T Ross SHARPE, H. C. Rooms. 

